11/14/2008

"I think if Jesus Christ was in the Democratic Party, Kansas would elect him. But luckily everybody knows that Jesus was a Republican."

You are half right. Jesus is pro-life, like some Republicans. But he also says we should care more for the poor than the rich. Sounds like a Democrat.

"I think you oughta have a 333 line just for sports."

Listening, selecting and typing Ext. 333 calls is like hitting ourselves in the head with a hammer. Why add to the misery?

"On Tuesday, I voted for McCain. On Wednesday, I prayed for Obama."

Let's hope your prayers work better for Obama than they did for McCain.

"Congratulations Salina on your approval of the sales tax increase. However, we live in Dickinson County and have the choice of shopping between Junction City and Salina. Because we choose not to pay for your swimming pool, we'll be shopping in Junction City and Abilene and all those areas. We don't really want to help you build your pool. You should've done it a different way."

Here's another caller's response:

"This is for the Dickinson County person who is choosing to shop at Junction City so he doesn't have to pay for the Salina pool. Junction City's sales tax is 7.55, so that makes a lot of sense, doesn't it?"

Our two cents: After Salina's sales tax goes up to 7.15 percent, it will be the same as Abilene's sales tax and lower than Junction City's.

"We already are planning a weekly shopping trip outside of Salina. We can't afford a water park."

But you can afford the extra gas to drive somewhere else?

"It's the day after the election. Gas goes up nearly 10 cents a gallon. The stock market is down nearly 500 points. Fasten your seat belts, we're in for a ride."

It's more than a week after the election. Gas prices and the market are dropping like stones. Yes, we need seat belts. We also need air-sickness bags, hard hats and straightjackets.

"I'd like to know where Saline County residents were Tuesday, Nov. the 4th. There are almost 54,000 people in Saline County, and by my count, a little over 21,000 people voted in Saline County. What's the deal, people?"

What's the deal, caller? All county residents are not eligible to vote. There are some 35,000 registered voters in Saline County. Saline County Clerk Don Merriman reports 23,011 of them cast ballots, for a turnout of 63 percent. Not bad. Find something else to gripe about.

-- Journal staff